A Nerdy Love

Another day at Bellwether High School after a long summer vacation. The school’s parking lot is filled with cars of various models, colours, and sizes. Students hurrying to their early morning classes while others walk leisurely, chatting with their friends. The school grounds are bustling with life and energy, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Amidst the chaos, Kim stepped into the school hallways with a cold vibe surrounding her. Her kinky hair splashed with eye blinding colours of hues of pink and purple, she was the epitome of coolness, the queen bee of the school.

She wore a tight-fitting leather jacket over a black crop top and a pair of ripped jeans that hugged her curves just right. Her past had taught her to stay guarded and not let anyone in.

As she made her way to her locker, she noticed a group of girls giggling and pointing in her direction. She knew what this meant, as it was something she had experienced before. She ignored them and continued walking, but one of the girls stepped in her way, blocking her path.

“Hey, ugly girl. I’m Tiffany, and these are my friends. We were just wondering where you got that hideous hair from?” Tiffany said, laughing as her friends joined in.

Kim looked at Tiffany, unimpressed, and replied, “I got it from your mom’s wig store, Tiffany. You should check it out sometime.”

Tiffany’s face turned red with anger as her friends stifled a laughter. “You’re going to regret saying that, you little brat,” she said, shoving Kim hard against the lockers.

Kim stumbled but quickly regained her balance, her eyes flashing with anger. She knew that she had to put Tiffany and her friends in their place, or they would continue to make her life a living hell.

“Is that all you’ve got, Tiffany?” Kim said, her voice low and menacing. “I suggest you and your friends leave me alone if you know what’s good for you.”

Tiffany and her friends looked at each other nervously, realizing that they had underestimated Kim. They quickly scurried away, leaving Kim standing alone in the hallway.

Kim took a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline pumping through her veins. She knew that she had just made a statement to the rest of the school, and that no one would mess with her again.

As she walked down the hallway, she could feel the eyes of her classmates on her. They were whispering and pointing, but she didn’t care. She had proven that she was not to be messed with, and that was all that mattered.

As she turned the corner, she saw a group of boys standing near the school’s front entrance. They were all staring at her, and she could tell from the looks on their faces that they were impressed.

One of the boys stepped forward, a smirk on his face. “Hey, I saw what you did to Tiffany and her friends. That was pretty badass.”

Kim smiled, feeling a sense of pride wash over her. “Thanks,” she replied, walking past the group of boys and walked into her class.

As she entered her class, she could hear everyone gasping at her change of style. Kim had been a quiet, reserved girl ever since she started at the school. But after a family tragedy, she had decided that she wasn’t going to let anyone push her around anymore. She had started working out, taking self-defence classes, and changing her wardrobe to something more edgy.

The other students in the class stared at her in shock. They had never seen Kim dressed like this before. She was wearing a tight leather jacket, ripped jeans, and combat boots. Her hair was styled in a messy bun, and she had dark makeup around her eyes.

Kim ignored the stares, taking her seat at the back of the classroom. She was determined to show everyone that she wasn’t the same person she used to be.

Gone were the frumpy clothes and messy hair. She had spent hours last night creating a new look for herself, and it was paying off.

She had traded in her old sneakers for a pair of black boots with a stiletto heel. She had also ditched her old t-shirts for a tight-fitting leather jacket that accentuated her curves. Her hair was now styled into loose waves, and she had added a touch of dark lipstick to complete the look.

She sat down at her desk, feeling confident and powerful. She was no longer the shy, awkward girl she used to be. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she knew it.

A girl in a pink spaghetti dress rushed inside the class as she cursed at her lateness, and moved to the only space left at the back seat which a weird looking girl was occupying it first half already.

As she sat down, she gave an awkward stare at the girl with the gothic makeup. Only then did she realise that the face was oddly familiar, she gasped as the realization hit her. “Ki....Kim? Kim is that you?”

Kim turned her head towards the girl, and her eyes widened in shock. It was Emily, her preschool deskmate she had lost touch with over the years. Emily had always been the popular girl in school, she had the looks and the grades ever since preschool, while Kim had been the quiet one in the background. And although Kim was also a bubbly girl like her, she had always been a minimalistic person. So, Emily’s personality won the stage.

Kim could see the confusion written all over Emily’s face as she took in her new appearance. She could tell that Emily was trying to process the change in her.

“Yeah, it’s me.” Kim said, her voice low and steady.

Emily’s eyes widened even more as she looked at Kim with a mixture of surprise and disbelief. “Wow, can you tell me what’s going on here? Am I missing something?” she said, confusion spreading across her face.

Kim rolled her eyes, feeling a sense of frustration brewing in her. Great! Another nosy person to judge her based on her appearance.

“Nothing, just my baddie side revealing itself.” Kim shrugged without a care.

“I don’t believe that Kim, how could you change in just a few weeks of vacation?!” Emily exclaimed again.

“None of your business Emily! So, stop questioning me, I am not your friend!” Kim raised her voice at her.

Emily recoiled at Kim’s harsh words. She had never seen her old friend so aggressive before. “Hey, calm down Kim. I just want to understand,” Emily said softly.

Kim took a deep breath, feeling the anger inside her start to dissipate. She knew that she had overreacted, but she couldn’t help it. She had always been defensive when it came to her appearance.

“Then shut up!” I just need some peace.” Kim said, her voice returning to its steady tone. “I needed a change, and this is it.”

Emily nodded, understanding. “I get it. It’s just...a shock, you know?”

“Yeah, I know,” Kim said with a small smile. “Let’s say I’m just...with a little more edge.” Emily nodded briefly before facing the History notebook in front of her.

The class began, and Kim quickly settled into her routine. She found that she was able to concentrate better, now that she had shed her old skin and adopted a new persona.

As the lecture went on, Kim couldn’t help but notice that Emily kept stealing glances at her. She knew that her transformation had piqued Emily’s curiosity, and she couldn’t blame her for it. After all, she had changed so drastically, and it was understandable that people would be curious.

After class, Emily approached Kim again. “Can we talk?” she asked, and Kim nodded.

They walked out of the classroom and sat down on a bench outside. “So, what’s up?” Kim asked, feeling a little bit defensive.

“I just wanted to talk to you,” Emily started. “Look, I’m worried about you. I know changing one’s style is a normal thing but I’m really worried about you.”

“Are you being...”

“Woah, cool jacket you’ve got there Kim Chucks!” Kim was interrupted by a tall Mexican guy who had already walked up to them.

“Shut up and go away Billy, we are the middle of something.” Emily shunned him with an irritated look on her face. She never liked to associate with this kind of people, especially a big bully like Billy McClure.

“I see you have come to the baddies’ side, and I have to say you fit quite well.” Billy commented, his eyes roaming around Kim’s beautiful figure as she walked away. Leaving behind a confused Emily and a dazzled Billy.

“Kim! Kim! Wait up!” Emily continued running after Kim with Billy’s cringey laughter resounding behind them.

Kim turns around in frustration as she gave Emily a piercing stare. “What! Will you stop tailing me and give me some space?”

Using her body as a barricade, Emily stood in front of Kim with a face flushed from running. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what is going on with you!”

“I thought we were over this already.” She sighed in frustration. This stubborn chicken in front of her really didn’t know her place.

“Ever heard the proverb ‘don’t wash your dirty linen in public?” Kim gritted her teeth.

“But I’m your close friend!” Emily cried out.

“No, my best friend is a guy. And he’s not even here, so don’t try to gratify yourself with me. You are...” Kim couldn’t continue her words.

“I’m what?” Emily asked tentatively, staring at Kim with teary eyes.

“You’re just side friend, so don’t go thinking you’re that important for me to tell you, my troubles. And I’m not even troubled.” Kim spat.

Emily widened her eyes in disbelief, “No, Kim! That’s a lie. We talked and played and read together, we even shared some secrets with each other! Isn’t that what friends do?” Emily rambled on in a croaked voice.

“The friends I know support each other in whatever they do.... and you’re clearly not one of them.” With that, Kim strode off coldly.

Emily bit her lower lip hard, trying to hold back the tears in her eyes as she stared at the already quiet hallway. “What’s happening to you Kim?”

Kim sighed in exhaustion as she walked down the street, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of empowerment. She had always been the target of bullies, but now she was the one in control.

On getting home, Kim tensed up. A part of her scared of what she was going to meet inside. “Mom, I’m home!” She entered the Kitchen to see her mom humming happily as she was washing the dishes. Kim heaved a sigh of relief before hugging her from the behind.

“Oh, my love! Welcome home!” Jane chirped happily as she continued washing the dishes. “How was school today?”

“Better than ever before Mom.” Kim rubbed her head against Jane’s back gently.

“Wow! You’ve never been this positive with your reviews. Something good happened, hmm?” Her mother asked teasingly.

“Mom, nothing okay!” Kim whined.

“Uhh, yeah right!” Jane chuckled before turning around to look at her.

“Oh, my goodness! Kim darling, what’s with the gothic costume?” Jane exclaimed at her daughter’s eye blinding outfit combo.

“Mom, it’s not a costume. It’s a change of style, the edgy kind of style… you know.” Kim chuckled nervously. ‘Dang it! I should have changed out of this before com